Our culture holds up pride as a positive trait – but it can keep us from true intimacy with God and others. On this edition of Live the Promise Susie unpacks the aim and power of humility, with input from Andy Stanley and John Dickson.
Pastor Andy gives some striking characteristics of pride:
• It causes you have to have the final word in any discussion
• It causes you to withhold an apology when you know you’ve sinned, even in a minor way
• It causes you to hold others to high standards while making excuses for yourself
• It causes you to consider yourself “too good” or “too important” for certain menial tasks
Pride can be a polarizing, unattractive trait. We as Christ-followers are called to reject it and seek humility instead. John Dickson agrees.
“Whenever we spot humility in a great person, we love it. This wasn’t the case in ancient Rome – you actually thought that was disgusting. Now we think it’s beautiful. A key to fostering humility in your own life is to observe its beauty in others.”
So what does it take to be a humble person? John points out that humility doesn’t mean being a doormat. Rather than having low self-esteem, it means holding whatever power you have for the good of others, in service of others.
Andy issues this challenge – remember who your gifts are from. Then, take the next step.
“If you’re a Christian, remember Who it’s for. And then God can place an amazing amount of known-ness in your hands and it will reflect well on Him. And when it starts to slip through your fingers, you can say ‘Everything is from God.’ We are known for [God’s] renown. This is the perspective we are to maintain all of our lives – as John said, we can receive only what is given to us from heaven. At the end of every day, we take a deep breath – and listen for the applause from heaven. In the end, that’s the applause that matters.”
Key Scriptures: James 4:4-10; Psalm 25:9; Isaiah 66:2
Theme Song: The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe
Highlight : The effects of a proud heart
This program has been previously aired.
